Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Appendix Five

APPENDIX SECTION FIVE

“IMPACT ON STUDENTS LEARNING/FIELD EXPERIENCE”



COURSE PROJECT:  Differentiated Instruction in EFL Ecuadorian Classrooms

Literature Review
Defining Differentiated Instruction
Differentiating instruction is a method of identifying differences and teaching according to different students’ talents and learning styles.  This way of teaching is considered to meet the needs of a diverse classroom (Morgan, 2013). Differentiated instruction intends to permit every student access to the same classroom curriculum by providing learning tasks and objectives that fit  all students’ learning needs.  It is not a single strategy but an approach to instruction that incorporates a variety of strategies which focus on meeting unique individual needs (Susan Watts, 2012).  By its nature, differentiation implies that the purpose of schools should be to maximize the capabilities of all students taking into account differences on how students learn, learning preferences and individual interests (Anderson, 2007).  For some time, the term has been debated in the field of education.  Teachers incorporate differentiation in their classes when assigning a different homework, giving more time for a particular activity, or giving choice in what students read.  However, classrooms can be more responsive to students’ needs by being more systematic in the approach of differentiation.  Mastering DI strategies will help teachers start instruction where students are and move forward as far as possible on their educational path. (Levy, 2008).
Theory
            The concept of differentiated instruction is grounded in the fact that there is  great variance among students, and therefore teachers should expect student diversity and accommodate their instruction accordingly (Tomlinson, 1999). From Vygotsky’s theory it is well known that individuals learn in a better way when they interact in an environment which provides a challenge.  This environment is called zone of proximal development.  Thus, learning should be adjusted to each individual learning zone (Brimijoin, 2003). Furthermore, based on Vygotsky’s concepts, it is believed that learning truly happens when teachers design lessons that challenge students’ abilities.  Teachers or more capable peers offer support to develop understanding while students interact with each other. This peer collaboration goes beyond  simple assistance. In order for learning to happen, students work collaboratively to find out their zone of proximal development so they can have appropriate support (Walqui & Lier, 2012).
Why Differentiated Instruction
            There is evidence that differentiated instruction can be an effective instrument for schools and educators to address students’ social-emotional learning. The personal situation of each individual student is considered (Martin, 2013). Research has demonstrated that programs where teachers practice social and emotional differentiation in instruction have a very positive effect on both academic and social areas (Bondy, Ross, Galliangane, & Hambacher, 2007). Teachers can have a very positive impact on students’ performance when they create an environment where children appreciate social behaviors modeled by peers and adults and the needs and preferences  of each student is emphasized (Kidron & Fleishman, 2006). Additionally, differentiated instruction helps students to meet standards that instruction pursues.  If all students, no matter their individual learning style or academic level, are required to meet the same standards, then teachers have to use different approaches for different students (McTighe & Brown, 2005)
Content, Process and Product
            The fundamental point of differentiated instruction is flexibility in content, process and product according to students’ learning styles, needs, interests and strengths (Levy, 2008).
Content includes the topics, concepts or themes students are exposed to. It  is  determined by districts and it responds to national standards (Heacox, 2012). Levy (2008) wonders why teachers would want to limit  children who read and write above the grade level to go much further. Similarly, students who are below the grade level would be more successful with content appropriated for the learner’s level.  “Differentiated instruction allows for variation in content without losing sight of the curriculum to which all children are entitled.” (p.62).
            Process refers to the “how” of teaching. Learning styles and students’ preferences are considered at the moment of instruction. It can be modified by making tasks more complex and challenging, by giving students opportunities to develop critical and creative thinking, or by providing several strategies for them to learn (Heacox, 2012). The activities provided must address different students’ skills, learning styles, and interests. The teaching style should reflect the needs of students. Teachers must find out the academic level of students before starting instruction and build on the prior knowledge to develop learning.  It is essential to determine the level of support students will require through formative assessment (Levy, 2008).
            Products are the outcomes of instruction.  They reflect students’ understanding in the form of a report, brochure, dialogue, debate, or speech. Products are differentiated when teachers offer a variety of options for students to choose according to their individualities. Projects proposed should match students learning styles. They should be oriented to strengthen students’ skills or challenge their weaknesses (Heacox, 2012).
Multiple Intelligences
            Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is the basis for Differentiated Instruction.  According to this theory, students learn through various intelligences.  Gardner identified the logical /mathematical, verbal/ linguistic, musical, visual/spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence (Gardner, 1983). Students learn in different ways through different intelligences.  Therefore, teachers may want to use a variety of intelligences at the moment of teaching rather than just one or two (Silver, Strong, & Perini, 2000).  Learners can be classified into three main categories: visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners. Visual learners have a better understanding by observing written language, posters, charts, videos and other visual demonstrations. They remember better when they see written information.  Auditory learners prefer instruction through oral communication.  They enjoy participating in discussions and debates. Kinesthetic learners are benefited from hands-on activities and enjoy being engaged in role plays or any movement activity (Pham, 2012).
Grouping according to Ability Levels, Learning Styles and Interests
            Teachers who use the differentiated instruction model know that grouping should be made based on specific criteria concerning students’ ability, interests, learning styles, and needs. After the lesson is taught the teacher, realizes that a group of students need further instruction.  This group of students is pulled out for additional support. On the other hand, the group of students who already knew what was taught are given more challenging work.  This classification responds to students’ needs.
Grouping according learning styles is related to the theory of multiple intelligences.  Different students learn in  different ways.  Some pay attention to what the teacher says, others pay attention to what the teacher does.  Some students do not learn anything until they can do something concrete.  When teachers get to know their students’ individual learning style it is more likely that they are able to group students according their objectives.  At times, all visual learners might be grouped to achieve a common goal.  Other times one of each style should be in a group for them to learn from each other. Students’ interests also play an important role when grouping. For example: when teaching reading, students who are interested in animals can work together while those who are not interested in animals might choose a different topic that is of interest to them (Levy, 2008).
Tiered Activities
Tomlinson (1999) described tiered lessons as a differentiation strategy that addresses a standard curriculum but create various ways for students to reach understanding of the content based on their interests, readiness, or learning profiles.  A class tiered by readiness level requires that the teacher is well- informed about students’ ability levels regarding the lesson and has planned the tiers to meet those needs. Many lessons tiered in readiness have three tiers: below grade level, at grade level, and above grade level. However, this is not the rule.  The number of levels will depend on the range of ability levels of a particular classroom. 
            Tiered activities encourage accomplishment because the students decide at what level of achievement they want to aim. Teachers develop tiered activities based on the main curricular concept that must be learned by the students.  After the content is identified, then the teacher proposes tasks of varied complexity, number of steps and products.  Students are encouraged to choose the activity they wish to accomplish.  Rubrics describing product requirements at each level are offered (Kapusnick, 2001).  Tiered lesson planning is a form of keeping focused on the curriculum and standards while conserving flexibility of content, process, and product (Levy, 2008)
STUDIES

A lot of research has been conducted on the field of differentiating instruction. In a study of the National Hsinchu Univeristy of Education in Taiwan, Professor Chin –Wen Chien shares his experience of implementing differentiated instruction in an elementary school EFL classroom. Professor Chin-Wen chose the book Riddle-Me-Ree to design his lesson.  This big book is fun and motivate students to learn.  He used the book as a vocabulary review for the sixth graders in the beginning of the semester.  He chose six riddles from the book. The he read the riddles aloud and ask students to guess the meaning of the words from pictures or teacher’s actions.  Students with higher English proficiency levels yelled out different answers in English, but students with lower level tended to respond in Chinese. Some other students were not engaged at all due to their limited English abilities.  Therefore, he modified the activity by having students to write down the answer on a piece of paper.  Students were allowed to either write in English, Chinese or draw a picture.  For word instruction, he included 16 vocabulary words  rom the riddles and asked the students to color them according to their knowledge.  They colored the words green if they knew the word and could use it, they used yellow for the words they knew but could not use it. For the words they do not know at all, they used red.  Then he led the whole class in reading through the words marked in green.  For the words marked in yellow and red he used word cards and phonics cards to teach the whole class. Then he had students make word cards of the 16 vocabulary words.  Each word was written on the top of the card and had a picture below it. While students were working on their word cards, he pulled out students who had marked words in yellow and red and gave them additional word instruction. Then he tested students based on their proficiency level.  The beginning level learners were required to point words for recognition.  These students did not feel anxious but gained confidence in learning. More advanced students were required to spell words and even recognize additional words.  After the recognition test, he gave students different choices of tasks.  Task a: working in pairs and testing each other to spell out the words; task b: working in pairs and using the word cards to play the concentration game and task c: making word cards on two additional riddles. Students with lower proficiency level chose games and easy tasks, and students with higher proficiency levels tended to choose more challenging tasks. Professor Chien- Wen concluded that the success of differentiated instruction relies on the design and delivery of the instruction in content, process, and product as well as on the establishment of a class routine.  It is important to explain to students that everyone learns differently and that if they complete tasks they will have the opportunity to choose other tasks.  If they have difficulty completing the task, they still will have a chance to learn the content with the teacher’s support. (cita)  
Diane Kern form the University of Rhode Island reports the study of North Topsail Elementary School.  The administrators in the school found that most of their teachers where employing whole-group instruction methods, taught to the average student in the class even though the student body was quite diverse. Tests scores started to demonstrate that students were not meeting the state’s requirements.  The school began a collaborative professional development effort, including focus on differentiation of instruction.  In this case study research, the teacher Katherine Martez uses a variety of flexible and effective strategies.  Some of her practices include: compacting: she uses results from informal and formal assessments to identify students’ strengths.  She allows students who have already mastered contents of the next unit to enter into contract with her to either explore the content in more depth or through interdisciplinary study. Katherine also uses tiered lessons.  She regularly designs activities that achieve the same content or standard with varying levels of support or challenge.  Graphic organizers help Katherine to meet the needs of visual learners by demonstrating how information is conceptually connected.  Anchor activities and task cards are also used to provide meaningful activities for her students to engage in while she works with small groups of students differentiating instruction.  The task cards provide students with step-by-step instructions for enrichment or remediation activities related to the area of study.   As a result a progressive improvement  in the tests scores was reported (Kern, 2009).
in the following research, a case study was conducted to identify the strengths and needs of   Gayle, a 10 year-old third grade boy, who has been performing below grade level in several reading skill areas. A district reading specialist interviewed Gayle about his school experiences, likes and dislikes.  His parents were also interviewed. Gayle was also given oral and listening comprehension tests.  Based on all this information, the researcher concluded that Gayle needs extensive support to process print materials.  From the interviews, they learned that Gayle enjoys basketball, riding bikes and computers.  Though he does not enjoy reading, he likes magazines and sports internet sites.  Knowing this they planned activities and assignments that follow his interests by looking for internet sites that are focused on sorts , and using sports magazines such as Sports Illustrated for Kids.  From his parents’ interviews they learned that he is also interested in mountain bike.  So, they selected materials that capitalized his motivation to learn about this topic and provide exposure to words related to mountains, geography, or lands forms that he might encounter in language arts activities. They also considered using Lexia Early Reading software.  This program allows individual readers to practice a variety of reading skills necessary for literacy. Gayle was described by his teachers and his parents as an outgoing, friendly boy.  So they built on those characteristics and had him engaged in some leaderships role in group activities.  He could serve as a resource for the group especially in areas he enjoys.  The conclusions of the study suggest that creating opportunities for Gayle to participate in different learning contexts is a good start for success.  Gayle continues to progress slowly but surely, and the teachers are confident that through differentiated instruction he will reach his goal of becoming a food reader (Demos & Foshay, 2009) 
Student Demographics
According to the demographic statistics on Ecuadorian students released by the Ministry of Education, the number of students enrolled in initial, middle, and high school education nationwide reaches to 4,395,434. From this student population, 2,259,988 are female and 2,135,446 are male. In Pichincha, there is a total number of 723,986 students.  Female students represent 51. 5% of the total population and 48.4% of students are male. From the total population in Pichincha, 408,343 students belonging to middle and high school education attend to public schools. Regarding ethnicity, the students’ population from different ethnic groups has grown through the years as shown in the table below (Ministerio de Educacion, 2013).

2004
%
2007
%
2010
%
2013
%
Indigenous
4.6
4.9
4.7
5.9
Mestizo
9.2
9.4
9.8
10.1
Afro-cuadorian
8.0
8.0
8.6
8.9
Montubio
-
-
6.2
6.7

Clearly it can be said that more indigenous, montubios and afro-ecuadorians are attending schools in the big cities.  These ethnic groups now have opportunities they would not have in the past.  For example, they have the possibility to choose the school of their liking no matter their residence or grade average. The Good Living National Plan fosters social and territorial equity, cohesion, inclusion and equality in diversity.  It implies consolidation of policies which facilitate the achievement of dignity with access to education, social support, and special protection.  Goals regarding with education have to do with the attainment of a net attendance rate for high school of 80%, reduction of illiteracy among the indigenous and montubio population from ages 15 and the increase of the generational transmission of native languages to 90% (Senplades, 2013).
Over the years Ecuador has been a plurinational and multilinguistic country.  Native communities like awa, eperara siapidara, chachi, tsa’chi, kichwa, a’i (cofán), pai (secoya), bai (siona), wao, achuar, shiwiar, sapara, andoa interact with afro-ecuadorians and mestizos. The Bilingual and Intercultural Educational System (SEIB) aims to take into consideration people’s learning styles including psychosocial aspects, creativity and the ancestral knowledge (Ministerio de Educacion, 2013).
Regarding disabilities, law indicates that the government will guarantee access to the national educational system  in all levels for people with disabilities.  Administrators, educators, support staff, and students with no disabilities are trained to normally interact with disable people.  The law also regulates the infrastructure of educational institutions, technological support, textbooks and materials written in braille and the apprenticeship of signs language (Barriga, 2012).
The National Disabilities Council  (CONADIS) reported a total of 361,511 disabled people nationwide in May, 2013. Of this population, 14.2% is located in Pichincha.  This specialized institution identifies auditory, physical, intellectual, verbal, visual, and psychological disabilities.  However, no difference is made between the national and student population (Conadis, 2011). The Ministry of Education through, the National Office of Special and Inclusive Education describes  more specific types of disabilities such as autism, down syndrome,  deafness and blindness.  From the need to support students with special needs,  CEDOS  (Diagnosis and Pshycopedagogical Support Center s) have been organized.  These centers offer specialized service for educators, families, schools and students with disabilities in order to provide them with a  high quality education (Ministerio de Educacion, 2013). However, there is an open absence of statistical information concerning student population with disabilities nationwide.  Schools lack of numerical data concerning number of students with disabilities, or cultural and linguistic diversity.  From my experience I can say that the number of well identified students with a serious physical or intellectual disability is really low.
 During the fifteen years I have worked in different high schools in Quito, I have only encountered three special students who had been diagnosed with hearing disability, brain damage, and ADHD.  In each case, parents would give me directions on how to address their special needs in class.  For example, I would use a pocket microphone provided by the parents so the student could hear me.  Similarly, all teachers in the school were told about this particular student who had been diagnosed with ADHD and that medicine administration was part of his treatment. When he was simply unable to control himself, I would know that the medicine was not taken. Finally, the student with a brain damage would work really hard and make his best effort but just could not recall any of the information.  Psychologists in the school advised teachers to make him work as much as possible but we all knew that in the end we had to pass him no matter his final grades. This scenario portrays the unawareness and inexperience of educators and counselors on how to deal with these kinds of students who demand additional support to achieve academically.  One of my biggest concern as an EFL teacher is related to the lack of students’ motivation to learn. This is one of the main reasons of the increasing number of struggling students in our classrooms.  Teachers label them as low achievers.  Even though they do not exhibit either a severe or mild physical or mental disability, their academic performance is below average. While some of them might certainly have a type of disability which hardly ever is diagnosed,  most of  students considered low achievers might be some of the reasons for that poor performance.


SPECIFIC STRATEGIES
EFL Key Standard: Reading A2 Proficiency level

Understand and identify longer, more complex informational, transactional, and expository texts as well as simple procedural and narrative tests (e.g. recipes, short personal stories, traveling forms).  The texts should all contain the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.
Differentiated Instruction Strategies
Flexible Grouping:  Differentiating the process
The average class size of Classrooms in Ecuadorian high schools is 50 students.  On a regular basis students are identified as: struggling students, academically average, and advanced students.  Therefore, this flexible grouping strategy is intended to meet all students’ needs based on their readiness.
The students are grouped according to their tests results.  Those whose scores range from 8 to 10 are assigned to the advance learners group.  Scores 6 and 7 are in the average group and those with scores of 5 and below 5 belong to the struggling students group.  Every student is given a color index card where they are required to write their names.  There are three different colors which will help the teacher identify what student belongs to what group.  (green for advanced, blue for average, yellow for struggling students)
At this point students have not moved yet. The teacher introduces the topic of the reading as a whole class through pre-reading activities such as making predictions from an illustration or text.  Students’ predictions are written down on the board.  Having the students think about the topic creates the schema about the text and develops background knowledge. Besides predictions, teacher also pre teach key vocabulary and concepts related to the reading topic.
Students are organized in groups of four by colors.  Each group gets a copy of the reading: “ The last leaf” by O. Henry. Groups are assigned a different task for the same piece of reading.  Each group completes their particular task (Appendix A).  The teacher monitors the groups focusing attention on yellow groups.  After the group session, one group representing each level (color) shares their conclusions with the whole class.  The yellow group gives a quick overview of the reading, the blue group retells the story using visuals and explains the story context, and the green group explains how the story could have been different. This way all students come to a full understanding of what the story is all about.
Choice Board:  Differentiating the Product

As a follow-up activity students complete a home project assignment.  Students choose the task they want to work on from the choice board according to their own interests or skills.
Complete an on-line book review of the story you read.
Visit the following web-site
activities/swyar/write.asp
10 points
Write a letter to the author explaining why and how you would change the end of the story

10 points
From Jhonsy’s perspective write a letter for Mr. Berhman



10 points
Compare and contrast the two girls of the story.  Use a Venn diagram

5 points
Make a graphic organizer to map the progression of the story

5 points
Rewrite the story in the form of a song, rap, or poem. Include the major ideas of the story
5 points
Create a foldable to briefly describe the beginning, middle and end of the story




5 points
Create a die and use each side to share:
1.      Title and author
2.      Setting
3.      Problem
4.      Solution
5.      Characters
6.      Illustration of the main part of the story. 5 pts.
Make a bookmark for the story. On one side, draw your favorite scene. On the back, describe the scene.




5 points
The activities are thought to provide opportunities for visual, verbal, and kinesthetic learners to tap into their particular skills.  Every student will choose either one or two activities to complete a score of 10 points. 
Reading Choices:  Differentiating the Content
Focus: students will develop the ability to scan a text to find the main idea.  They will compare and contrast ideas to reach agreements. The standards require students develop the ability to understand and identify longer and more complex texts.  For the next activity a variety of authentic reading materials are proposed for students to choose the reading they are more interested in. 
Pre-reading:
Students will identify their own interests by playing the game Glass, Bug, Mud.  First the teacher models the activity by having volunteers to respond prompts like: I know how to cook, I love pop- culture, I like to travel, I am good at playing sports, I like to read about famous people. If the student is really into sports, she goes to the Glass corner.  If she might be interested in it, she goes to Bug corner.  But if she is not really interested in it, she goes to the Mud corner.   Many students might find difficult to identify their own interests. The template will help them to be sure about their preferences for further grouping (Appendix B)
Reading:
Students get in groups of four according to their interests.    The teacher presents a variety of reading material:  biographies of famous people from history, travel brochures from different countries, music and movies trivia facts. Students select the piece of reading of their like. Now the class is divided in groups. Some groups are reading about pop-culture, others about traveling, and the last group is reading about history.  However, all the students are following the same process guided in the worksheet. (Appendix C)
After reading:
Students share their ideas from the final section of the worksheet. Even though, students are reading different texts they are all learning how to identify key points, compare and contrast facts, and develop new ideas based on the reading.
Challenge centers: Differentiating Product
The students have finished reading the short story “The Bank Robbery” to assess comprehension they are required to choose one of the activities from the challenge center for a class project.
1.      Individually, summarize the story in the form of a comic strip.  Describe the beginning of the story, the middle and end.  Make sure to include descriptive illustrations.
2.      Create a comic strip describing a funny criminal story of your own.
3.      In groups of four perform a role-play about the story: “The Bank Robbery”.  You either can record it and show the video or make a live performance.
4.      Write a true or false quiz based on the story.  Your quiz must have ten items.  Make sure to include the answer key.
5.      You were one of the customers at the moment of the robbery.  Write a short paragraph describing your experience.  Include your feelings, thoughts and reaction at the end of the story.
6.      Find a partner and decide on how should the criminal be judged?  Write the judgment in the form of a rap or hip- hop song.
7.      You are the criminal’s lawyer.  Prepare yourself for the trial.  What would you say to support your defendant?
During the first session students choose the activity they are more likely to perform.  There are explanation cards for each of the activities available.   The students will work in class for one more session before turning in their final products.  The activities have been planned according to the different learning styles.  There are activities for musical, verbal, visual, and kinesthetic learners.  The levels of complexity and challenge from Bloom’s taxonomy are also considered.  Activities one, three, and four are in favor of struggling students. While activities two, five, six, and seven are designed to use higher thinking processes.

References

Anderson, K. (2007). Differentiating instruction to include all students. Tips for teaching, 51(3), 49-52.
Bondy, E., Ross, D., Galliangane, C., & Hambacher, E. (2007). Culturally responsive classroom management and more: Greating environment of success and resilience. Urban Education, 42, 326-348.
Brimijoin, E. M. (2003). Using data to differentiate instruction. Educational leadership, 60(5), 70-73.
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
Heacox, D. (2012). Differentiating instruction in the regular classroom. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.
Kapusnick, R. (2001). The silver cup pf differentiated instruction. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 34(6), 156-159.
Kidron, Y., & Fleishman, S. (2006). Promoting adolescents' prosocial behavior. Educational Leadership, 63(7), 90-91.
Levy, H. (2008). Meeting the needs of all students through diffentiated instruction: helping every child reach and exceed standards. The Clearing House, 81(4), 161-164.
Martin, P. C. (2013). Role-playing in an inclusive classroom: using realistic simlation to explore differneitated instruction. Promising Practices, 22(2), 93-95.
McTighe, J., & Brown, J. (2005). Differentiated istruction and educational standards: Is detente possible? Theory into Practice, 44(3), 234-244.
Morgan, H. (2013). Maximizing student sucess with differentiated learning. The clearing house, 87(1), 34-38.
Pham, H. (2012). Differentiated instruction and the need to integrate teaching and practice. Journal of college, teaching and learning, 9(1), 13-20.
Silver, H., Strong, R., & Perini, M. (2000). So each may learn: Integrating learning styles and multiple intelligences. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Susan Watts, B. L.-D. (2012). Differentiated instruction: Making informed teacher decisions. The reading teacher, 66(4), 303-313.
Tomlinson, C. (1999). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Walqui, A., & Lier, L. v. (2012). Scaffolding the academic success of adolescent english language learners. San Francisco: WestED.

Appendix A
Worksheet for group “yellow”
THE LAST LEAF
Student’s name:………………………………………………
Who is the author of the story?.........................................................................................................
List the three main characters:
……………………………….
……………………………….
………………………………
Describe  each character:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
What was a common health problem at that time?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Jhonsy believed that she would die when…………………………………………………………
Who saved her life?.........................................................................................................................

THE LAST LEAF
Activities for group “blue”
Directions:
·         Sketch the main scenes of the reading: the beginning, turning point, ending
·         Present them to the class through story telling.
·         Explore and explain to the class why a lot of people would die because of pneumonia in the past? What is it different today?

THE LAST LEAF
Activities for the group “green”
Directions:
·         In the group discuss the author’s purpose for writing the story
·         Create a new ending for the story

Appendix B




MY INTERESTS
Glass,  Bug or Mud
Visiting a museum is a great adventure

I can recommend what places to visit



Reading biographies is funny

I go to movies regularly


I know about distances from one place to another


I like going to concerts

I can plan fun activities for visitors

We can learn a lot from history

I know all the latest musical hits



















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